Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1887-12-08
JUST BEFORE AppoaArrox.
Meeting Between Grant and Lincoln Jus
Before the Close Of the War.

Meeting Between Gfans ana Ancom 49,
Before the Close Of the War.
About 9 a m the general rode into
Petersburg Many Of the citizens, panic
stricken, had escaped with the army.
Most Of the whites who remained stayed
indoors, few groups of negroes gave
cheers, but the scene generally was one OF
complete desertion- Grant rode along
quietly with his staff until he came to .
comfortable looking brick house with .
yard in front, situated on one of the prin-
cipal streets, and here he and the officers
accompanying him dismounted and took
seats on the piazza A number of the
citizens now gathered on the sidewalk and
gazed, with eager curiosity, upon the
features of the commander of the Yankee
armies.
The general was anxious to move west
ward at once with the leading infantry
columns, but Mr.. Lincoln had telegraphed
that he was on his way to see him, and
the general decided to prolong his stay un-
IL the president came up. Mr. Lincoln
soon after arrived, accompanied by his lit
tie son Tad" dismounted i'll the
street and came in through the
front gate with long and rapid
strides, his face beaming with de-
light He seized Gen. Grants hand as
the general stepped forward TO greet him,
and stood shaking it for some time and
pouring out his thanks and congrat ula-
tons with all the fervor Of a heart which
seemed oyerfiowing with its fullness OF
joy. | doubt whether Mr.. Lincoln ever
experienced a happier moment iii his life.
The scene was singularly affecting and
one never 10 be forgotten. He then said:
DO you know, general, / have had a
sort Of sneaking idea for some days that
you intended TO do something like this,
though | thought some time ago that you
would so maneuver as TO have sherman
come up and be near enough TO cooperate
with you
Yes replied the general, Il thought
at one time that Sherman's army might
advance so far as TO be within supporting
distance of the eastern armies when the
spring campaign against Lee opened, but
have had feeling that it is better to
let Lees old antagonists give his army
the final blow and finish up the job single
handed
II see, l see,' said Mr.. Lincoln, "but
never thought of it in that light. In fact,
my anxiety has been so great that didn't
care where the help came from so the
work was perfectly done. -
Mr. Lincoln then began to talk about
the civil complications that would follow
the destruction of the Confederate armies
in the field, and showed plainly the
anxiety he felt regarding the great prob
lens in statecraft which would soon be
thrust upon him.
Meanwhile Tad, for whom he always
showed great affection was now becom-
ing little uneasy and gave certain ap-
pealing looks to which staff officer re-
sponded by producing some sandwiches,
which he offered to him, saying: Here,
Young man, | guess you must be hungry"
Tad seized them as drowning man
would seize life preserver, and cried out
Yes, l am; that what's the matter with
me-" This greatly amused the president
and the general n-chief, who had a hearty
laugh at lads expense.
The general hoped that he would hear
before he parted with the president that
Richmond WAS in our possession, but after
the interview had lasted about an hour
and Il half, the general said he must ride
on TO the front and join Ord's column, and
took leave of the president, who shook his
hand cordially, and with great warmth of
feeling wished him God speed and every
success -Gen. Horace Porter in The
Century